Somali journalist jailed over Covid-19 Facebook posts

A court in Somalia has sentenced journalist Abdiaziz Ahmed Gurbiye to six months in prison over Facebook posts that were critical of the government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Mr Gurbiye is the chief editor and deputy director of the independent Goobjoog Media Group based in Mogadishu.

He was charged with publication of false news and insulting the political administration and the judicial body.

He has been transferred to Mogadishu central prison.

His lawyers say that the court based its verdict on outdated penal code.

Mr Gurbiye’s case, which has been going on for months, has been one of the most high-profile court cases against Somali journalists in the recent years.